Savings Tips: Prescription Drugs

Use these tips to keep more money in your pocket and make the most of your prescription drug plan.

• Ask for generic medications. Generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand names but may cost you a lot less.
• Use mail order. The mail order pharmacy vendor is Future Scripts and you can order a 90-day supply for the cost of a two months supply. The savings are significant and the medication is delivered to your door, discretely and in a temperature-controlled package if necessary.
• Check out discount programs. Wal-Mart and Target offer some medications at a discount rather than using insurance. Walgreens has a Prescription Savings Club and Kroger sells a number of generics for $4 (30-day supply) or $10 (90-day supply). You can compare the difference in cost and determine whether it saves you more to use your insurance, or pay out-of-pocket through one of these programs.
• Take a specialty medication? Check the drug manufacturer’s website. Sometimes discounts or rebates are available from the manufacturer, regardless of the amount you pay at the pharmacy.
• Not enrolled in medical insurance? GoodRx allows you to compare costs at your local pharmacies to get the best value. Visit GoodRx.com, type in the name of the medication in the search field, and click “Find the lowest prices.”

For more details about the prescription drug plan, click here.